Planned solar array at Albany airport will also shield cars
Output will help power facility and charging stations, provide shelter
A $2 million project intended to produce electricity for Albany International Airport will also shelter more than 200 vehicles and their occupants from snow and rain, according to officials at Albany County Airport Authority, which operates the facility.
A solar photovoltaic array will cover the 200-plus parking spaces in a long-term parking lot at the airport.
The output will help power nearby electric vehicle charging stations and garage and terminal lighting.
Funding for the project will come from a $1.4 million Aviation Modernization grant from the New York State Department of Transportation. Another $600,000 will come from the airport authority.
“The grant will provide an enhanced customer experience and will generate clean, renewable energy,” said airport CEO John O’donnell.
A canopy will cover a walkway to the terminal from the parking area.
The grant was announced earlier this week by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The airport is currently undergoing some $90 million in improvements, including an additional parking garage and upgrades to the terminal building.
The funds also will pay for improved highway connections to the terminal from the nearby Adirondack Northway, something first proposed more than 50 years ago.